Oommen Chandy-A man of the masses

Oomen chandi was born on 31rst October 1943 in Kumaragom, a place blessed with natural beauty, to K.O Chandy and Mrs.Baby Chandi. Oomen Chandi or otherwise called as Kunjooju was brought up in Syrian Orthodox family and schooled at St.George high school. His trait as a leader was evident even during his school days as he became the unit president of KSU at state level, which is a union for the budding aspirants with congress ideology. He also stepped in as the president of akhila kerala balajana sgyam at state level which is a socio cultural union for school going children . Omen chandi did his college at Changanassery S.B college and Kottayam C.M.S college and later he pursued his LLB degree from Gov.law college Ernakulum. His educational life paralleled with his political life moulded him into an astute congressman, with a vision for progression towards greater development which he encompassed, whenever he throne the chair of minister.
Political life
Oomen Chandy's political journey as stated above started as unit president of KSU at state level and embarked into main Kerala's main political arena as the president of the state youth congress in 1970.His charisma as a leader and unblemished faith towards congress party won him key positions in congress party. Oomen Chandy's undiluted popularity among voters can be gauged from his triumph in assembly elections for nine times on the trot, which only few politician can boast about in Indian political scenario. He held the position of MLA for 40 years from the same Puthupally constituency from the year 1970.This felicitous winning stride can be attributed to his vibes with voters and relentless effort to solve issues of the destitute and under privileged mass. His rival parties attempt to humble him in elections by fixing Cherian Philiph his childhood friend as his election rival ended up in vain.
Oomen Chandi was associated with many INTUC related outfits.Apart from this he decorated the post of UDF convenor from 2001 to 2004.

His abilities were entrusted by the congress leadership and gave him a chance to serve the people in the capacity of Kerala's labour minister from 1974 in the C. Achutha Menon's ministry. In his term as labour minister he brought many schemes to support the labourers working in factories. Another important decision which really helped to reduced the grief of millions of educated youth was to grant unemployment allowance, which came in as a great relief.
Oomen Chandy held the portfolios of home, agriculture and cooperative from 1981 to 1982 in K.Karunakaran ministry. Whilst his term was short as home minister his decision to change uniforms of policemen from shorts to trousers brought more respectability to entire police force of Kerala.
Oomen Chandys was the finance minister of Kerala from 1991 to 1994 in the ministry led by K.Karunakaran. His efforts to save Kerala's economy, which was in doldrums at that time, had gained some success.
A.K Antony was succeeded by Oomen Chandy when he stepped out of his chief minister's chair in 2004.Oomen Chandi sworn in as chief minister on the 1rst of September 2004 and his term as chief minister initiated many projects which can add impetus to economic progress. His efforts in this regard paved the way for starting many projects like Vizhinjam port, Vallarpadam transhipment terminal, metro rail, smart city, capital city developments, Sabarimala master plan, Kannur international airport. His efforts was not only confined to these project but also to resolve the issues of common man and he started a programme called mass contact programme were common man can open their mind regarding the problems they face. Huge number of people were drawn to programme as Oomen Chandi was all ears to commoners and the sincere efforts was taken then and there itself to find solution to their problem. His occupancy in chief minister's office ended in the year 2006 following the debacle of congress in 2006 assembly elections.
The onus of being the opposition party leader fall on Mr.Oomen Chandy when communist ministry headed by V.S.Achudanandan sworn into power in Kerala in the year 2006.During holding this position he advocated the policy of non violence and kept away from violent campaigns like bandh and harthal and instead he refuted to government policies through appearing in television channels and orating in public appearances. His etiquettes in state assemblies was that of a man who respects the assembly rules and regulations, and was not vehement when voicing concerns.
He embraced the quality of being compassionate to destitute and downtrodden all through his life and this nature was very much evident when there was sporadic eruption of contagious disease in hilly areas of Kerala. He was among them rendering his helping hand and shoulder them to tide over this hapless situation.
Family life
Oomen Chandi's family consists of his wife Mrs.Mariamma Oomen,son Chandy Oomen and two daughters Maria and Achu Oomen. Mrs.Mariamma Oomen is employed in canara bank. Maria got married to Mr.Rikki Mathew and Achu got married to Mr.Leejo Philip. Even though he was swamped with stress and strain of public life he tries to spent time with his family members and share his love for them.
Oomen chandy a man with unkempt hair and donned in white khaddar shirt and dhothi is heavily favoured to be the next chief minister of Kerala. Even though he is not a great orator his tactics and ability to 'take plunge' of right kind will unite different factions in congress party and will form a stable government, if beckoned to power and let the hope and aspirations of millions of Keralites to have a government which can raise up to their expectation level bear fruit.